Illness prevents Magic's Jameer Nelson from practicing Tuesday

Jameer Nelson sat out the Orlando Magic's practice on Tuesday because he was sick, leaving his status in doubt for Wednesday night's game against the Houston Rockets at Amway Center.

Coach Jacque Vaughn advised Nelson to remain at home Tuesday in order to prevent Nelson from passing on the illness to any other Magic players.

But swingman Arron Afflalo practiced with his teammates after he missed the Magic's last five games — the first three because of a sprained ankle, the fourth because of an illness and the fifth because Vaughn wanted Afflalo to practice before he returned to game action.

Afflalo expects to play against the Rockets.

Honoring RogowskiThe Magic will air a video tribute to Dwight Howard during the first quarter Wednesday — continuing the video tributes that have occurred all season for visiting players and coaches who once were members of the Magic.

But Howard isn't the only member of the Rockets' traveling party with Magic ties.

The Rockets' new head strength and conditioning coach is Joe Rogowski, who spent seven seasons in that role with the Magic and received rave reviews from Magic players and coaches.

The Magic will mention Rogowski during the tribute that will center around Howard.

This season, whenever visiting teams have had multiple players or coaches with Magic ties, the Magic have combined the tributes.

Loud expectationsHoward's return to Orlando last season lured a sellout crowd to Amway Center.

It was one of the loudest crowds at Amway Center all season. But although Howard was booed and also was heckled by some courtside fans, the reception was nowhere as vociferous as it was for LeBron James during James' first game in Cleveland after he joined the Miami Heat.

Still, Magic players appreciated the fan support that night against the Lakers.

"It was a big game," center Nik Vucevic recalled. "The arena was packed, and obviously when you play the Lakers there's a special intensity. It was a fun game to be a part of, because the fans really wanted us to beat them. Unfortunately, we didn't really do that. Dwight had a big game as well. It's fun playing in games like that. When the crowd is really into it, the players feel it."

jbrobbins@tribune.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.